Wild Senna

Wild Senna (Senna hebecarpa) is a roughly 3 foot tall plant that grows from a perennial root. The leaf is a compound leaf having 10-20 leaflets. Yellow flowers are in axillary racemes above sparse branches, bloom in July and August. The plant ranges from Ontario Canada south to Georgia, bounded on the East and West by the Mississippi River and the Atlantic ocean. The plant prefers either full sun to partial shade and moist soil conditions with a pH of 6.8-7.2.

Warning: Wild Senna and herbal remedies made from them can cause fatal poisoning. Sensitivity to a toxin varies with a person's age, weight, physical condition, and individual susceptibility. Children are most vulnerable.

Used as a laxative to treat constipation. It will generally work in about 8 hours. Never use this product for more and a week. If you have stomach pain, nausea or vomiting then do not use this as a laxative. If you have rectal bleeding or fail to have a bowel movement then stop use. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding then do not use this product.

Even though Senna hebecarpa is a FDA-approved nonprescription laxative I would strongly advise that you use this product for medical use AFTER the SHTF and you should use modern medical laxatives if available. Also do not take Wild Senna if you have also taken Horsetail.

To use as a laxative collect the leaves while the plant is in bloom. Grind or cut up 1 spoon full of leaves with 1 cup of boiling water and steep for 30 minutes. Drink either hot or cold one mouthful 3 times a day.

The seed pods are milder and slower-acting than the leaves and can be used in a similar fashion.